John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Saturday, March 24, 2012

1st lesson =WALK UPON THE WATERS, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

WALK UPON THE WATERS, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. WALKING BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT IS A CHALLENGE THAT ALL OF US NEED TO LEARN.

I want to share a thought with you, that came to my heart while meditating on this passage a few days ago. Read with me: "Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray ; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves ; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost !" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come !" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped."Matthew 14:22-32.

The fact that I want to share with you is: Jesus had told them to take the boat and go before him unto the other side. The fishermen know the sea, and are acquainted with the waves and it was their work environment, and in verse 24 says: "But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves ; for the wind was contrary," and it does not say here that they were afraid. You see it was a normal and natural scene of which they were accustomed, they all knew the safety that a boat gives them in full fury of the waves. The disciples were in the boat, but says they were not afraid in verse 24. Later when Peter was walking on the waters, the waves were the same as before, but why suddenly did he fear? Jesus gives a reply to him as he stretches his hand to Peter and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Jesus called him a men of little faith and I believe that the heart of the matter is as follows. The faith and confidence that we have while we are in a situation that is familiar to us is small compared to what we need to walk by faith in something that is known to us. Let´s compare this with the spiritual real where we are required to fully trust in Jesus. It is necessary to have a faith that projects our confidence on the fact that Jesus is in control and we can walk based on this fact in our lives.

Peter did not feel safe because he had never walked on water. He had been on the boat many times and he knew what he could expect while he was on the boat, but if it would tumble over he had to swim. Now Peter was forced to walk by faith and not by sight. Peter had to learn to trust that Jesus had the situation under control, because it was exactly what Peter said at the beginning: If it is you call me to walk upon the waters. While we are on safe ground, it is easy to have faith that we walk well. But, when God challenges us to move up to the step of faith, just walking by faith and not by sight, we fail. This just goes to prove that we are human beings. Peter asked Jesus to take him to a higher level in his walk with him. Jesus actually wanted to teach this to them. To trust when we are safe is not really trusting, in that case we see which is in front of us. Peter had observed Jesus perform miracles, and he understood that when Jesus said I will make you fishers of men, Peter knew that Jesus wanted to train them in the spiritual field.

I believe this was an excellent target to be achieved. What Peter wasn´t aware of the fact that there was something else included which he did not know yet. His faith was still too small for such an adventure. We see later in his life, after Pentecost that Peter learned his lesson well.

The most beautiful part of this passage is the fact that as Jesus took Peter by the han he was safe again. Walking beside Jesus in the same water in which he sank before. It says in verse 32: And when they climbed into the boat, the wind ceased. The wind calmed down only after they entered the boat. Jesus is Lord over the wind as we walk toward him, when we remove our from Him, when we cry out for help to Him, as well as when we return our eyes back to Him. Jesus is Lord always, but sometimes we don´t allow Him to rule in our walk. In Peter´s case, as he returned to the boat with Jesus he realized that we need to allow Jesus to be in control and not our fear. While Peter looked at Jesus and walked in faith that Jesus was in control, he did not sink anymore. This principle also rules your life and mine. Hallelujah. In our walk with the Lord, let´s submit to His Lordship, amen?

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John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

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LIVING WATER

Revelation 7:17 "For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of livingwater. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

John 4:10 "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you livingwater."